How should someone go about deciding what style and engine size of motorcycle is actually right for them?

The number one consideration when buying a first bike is buying the right bike for learning! Look, this won’t be your last bike so get a bike that is light, physically fits you, is not intimidating and is designed to do the type of riding that you want to do.

If you can’t comfortably walk the bike in a driveway, it’s too big for you. If you’re a beginner, that bike is just going to scare you and you will never learn how to actually ride if you’re terrified of the throttle. Start on something you can handle, learn the fundamentals, then move up when you feel you’ve earned it. “Make sure this decision is yours! Don’t be swayed! Don’t start off on a 200hp 1000cc machine, you will be a better, safer rider for it.”